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Monday, November 30, 2015

Title: Dumplin'Author: Julie MurphySeries: Stand AlonePublished By: Balzer + Bray (September 15, 2015)Source: BorrowedGenre: YA ContemporaryMy Rating: 4 StarsBook Description:Self-proclaimed fat girl Willowdean Dickson (dubbed “Dumplin’” by her former beauty queen mom) has always been at home in her own skin. Her thoughts on having the ultimate bikini body? Put a bikini on your body. With her all-American beauty best friend, Ellen, by her side, things have always worked…until Will takes a job at Harpy’s, the local fast-food joint. There she meets Private School Bo, a hot former jock. Will isn’t surprised to find herself attracted to Bo. But she is surprised when he seems to like her back.Instead of finding new heights of self-assurance in her relationship with Bo, Will starts to doubt herself. So she sets out to take back her confidence by doing the most horrifying thing she can imagine: entering the Miss Clover City beauty pageant—along with several other unlikely candidates—to show the world that she deserves to be up there as much as any twiggy girl does. Along the way, she’ll shock the hell out of Clover City—and maybe herself most of all.With starry Texas nights, red candy suckers, Dolly Parton songs, and a wildly unforgettable heroine—Dumplin’ is guaranteed to steal your heart.

I love stories that take me by surprise with the wonderful messages that are inside. Those messages that inspire and make us stop and ponder even if, for just a moment.

Dumplin' is one of those reads. The reads that take you by surprise, see things in a different light and even make you a better person somewhere along the way.

Filled with stand out messages, characters, and a plot that I think we can all relate to in different ways, this was so well written and such a great story. I truly lapped it up and was finished before I even knew it. A read you don't want to miss out on, I will definitely be picking up the author's other work in the future.

Thursday, November 26, 2015

I can't believe it is already Thanksgiving, seriously the year is just flying by!

I love this time of year because it is a great time to remember all that we are thankful for and I have a lot. My wonderful, beautiful family, good wonderful friends, amazing books, health, my blog, a warm house, clothes, food, the blogging community...truly, I could be here all day.

Whether you celebrate Thanksgiving or not, I truly hope you have a fabulous day filled with wonderful food, a warm place to be, and lots of five star reads. ;) I will be taking a short break the rest of the week to spend with my family and I truly hope you are all able to do the same! I hope to be back Monday smiling, refreshed, and rested..well, at least have my house back to normal.

Thank you for visiting my blog, commenting, and all the love and support I feel each time I look at one of my posts. I really am thankful for all of you and hope your day is a fabulous one!!

Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. It is a chance to share those new releases were are super anxious to get our hands on and read.I'm a huge fan of Clare's and when I saw not only the gorgeous cover for her newest novel but that description (set in the MI world, squeee!) I knew I had to read this one. I am so darn excited about it!

Book Description:Los Angeles. It’s been five years since the events of the Mortal Instruments when Nephilim stood poised on the brink of oblivion and Shadowhunter Emma Carstairs lost her parents. After the blood and violence she witnessed as a child, Emma has dedicated her life to to discovering exactly what it was that killed her parents and getting her revenge.Raised in the Los Angeles Institute with the Blackthorn family, Emma is paired as a parabatai with her best friend, Julian Blackthorn. A series of murders in the city catch her attention — they seem to have the same characteristics as the deaths of her parents. Could the murderer be the same person? And her attention isn’t the only one caught: someone has been murdering Downworlders as well. The Fair Folk make a deal with the Institute: if the Blackthorns and Emma will investigate the killings, they’ll return Mark Blackthorn to his home. The catch: they have only two weeks to find the killers. Otherwise it’s open war between faeries and Nephilim.The Shadowhunters of the Institute must race against time to catch the killers, even as they begin to suspect the involvement of those closest to them. At the same time, Emma is falling in love with the one person in the world she’s absolutely forbidden by Shadowhunter Law to love. Set against the glittering backdrop of present-day Los Angeles, Emma must learn to trust her head and her heart as she investigates a demonic plot that stretches from the warlock-run nightclubs of the Sunset Strip to the enchanted sea that pounds the beaches of Santa Monica.

Tuesday, November 24, 2015

I love being a part of anything that has to do with Hoover's writing because I always know I will love whatever it happens to be. With the case of her new book, November 9, I was once again blown away and thrown on an emotional roller coaster that was so worth the ups and downs.

Title: November 9

Author: Colleen Hoover

Series: Stand Alone

Published By: Atria (November 10, 2015)

Source: An ARC copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Beloved #1 New York Times bestselling author Colleen Hoover returns with an unforgettable love story between a writer and his unexpected muse.

Fallon meets Ben, an aspiring novelist, the day of her scheduled cross-country move. Their untimely attraction leads them to spend Fallon’s last day in L.A. together, and her eventful life becomes the creative inspiration Ben has always sought for his novel. Over time and amidst the various relationships and tribulations of their own separate lives, they continue to meet on the same date every year. Until one day Fallon becomes unsure if Ben has been telling her the truth or fabricating a perfect reality for the sake of the ultimate plot twist.

Colleen Hoover is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Slammed, Point of Retreat, This Girl, Hopeless, Losing Hope, Maybe Someday, Finding Cinderella, and Ugly Love. She lives in Texas with her husband and their three boys.

What can I possible say about this read that probably hasn't already been gushed about before me? Or for that matter the greatness that is Hoover's writing.

She always manages to amaze me no matter how many times in the past I have adored her novels, she still manages to surprise me, make me teary eyed and always leave me with a smile on my face. She comes out with fresh new ideas that melt my heart, tear it apart and always mend it back together again.

She truly is a master at what she does and what she does is write so freaking well that it blows me away, every. Single. Time.

With characters that are instantly relateable and so endearing that you can't help but fall in love with them. I immediately loved both Ben and Fallon and that love only grew as the story wore on. It was so very hard not to get wrapped up in their lives and care about the outcome. I was rooting for them the whole way through and, the best part besides the wonderful slow burning love story? All the book boyfriend cliches! I loved reading about Ben and Fallon and they “discussions” about book boyfriends. It was hilarious! Plus, hello Tate and Miles! Love loved that we get to see these two amazing people again!

All in all, another five star, blow me away, make me weep like a baby read.

*All thoughts and opinions are my own and were not influenced by the author or publisher. I was not compensated for this review.*

Monday, November 23, 2015

Title: Blood & SaltAuthor: Kim LiggettSeries: Stand AlonePublished By: G.P. Putnam's Sons Books For Young Readers (September 22, 2015)Source: PurchasedGenre: YA Horror/ThrillerMy Rating: 3.5 StarsBook Description:Romeo and Juliet meets Children of the Corn in this one-of-a-kind romantic horror.“When you fall in love, you will carve out your heart and throw it into the deepest ocean. You will be all in—blood and salt.”These are the last words Ash Larkin hears before her mother returns to the spiritual commune she escaped long ago. But when Ash follows her to Quivira, Kansas, something sinister and ancient waits among the rustling cornstalks of this village lost to time.Ash is plagued by memories of her ancestor, Katia, which harken back to the town’s history of unrequited love and murder, alchemy and immortality. Charming traditions soon give way to a string of gruesome deaths, and Ash feels drawn to Dane, a forbidden boy with secrets of his own.As the community prepares for a ceremony five hundred years in the making, Ash must fight not only to save her mother, but herself—and discover the truth about Quivira before it’s too late. Before she’s all in—blood and salt.

This was one read I wanted to read before Halloween was over because of all the wonderful reviews and all the hype surrounding it. I was ready for a good creepy read that would leave me turning the pages and not wanting to turn out the light at night.

And while I did get a good read, one with some creepy moments, this wasn't quite the scary read I was hoping for but instead a rather intriguing mystery and romance that left me swooning and even a bit sad by the end.

Definitely unique and original and fun, this did have me flipping through pages and wanting it to last longer. Even if it wasn't quite the read I was hoping for, I wasn't disappointed in it in the least.

Well written, well plotted, and a fun different kind of story, I really did enjoy this.

Friday, November 20, 2015

Blurb
Neve Colvin isn’t good enough. As an introvert, her life is a never-ending list of labels and criticism. Pressures to change come from everyone—including the one person she thought would love her unconditionally … her mother. All Neve wants is acceptance, but surrounded by extroverts it’s a wish that’s nearly impossible to fulfil.

For Neve there’s only one solution: anyone disapproving must go. Even if it means only one person will remain.

That person is her lifelong friend Blake Reynolds. He’s seen the fights with her mum, the breakdowns caused by attacks on her personality, and the battles for acceptance. Each time she is left shattered and questioning who she is, he’s the one to collect the pieces of her broken heart. Shielding her from the cruelty is his only concern. But how can he protect her when Neve is concealing a secret so dark?

Blake thinks he knows everything about her, and with their relationship developing, he assumes Neve trusts him fully. However, there is one memory Neve is too ashamed of to share. Revealing it will test Blake’s loyalty beyond what she could ever ask, and Blake is the only friend she can’t afford to lose. He’s the one person capable of dragging her from the darkness plaguing her, but with pressures to conform increasing, even Blake may not be enough to pull her back this time.

"From the dedication at the beginning up to the end this was both a thought provoking and an emotional read for me and I loved it!" - Sandra @ JeanzBookReadNReview

"This story tugged at my heartstrings, played on my every emotion. It was a beautifully written story of how an introverted young girl blossoms into a beautiful young woman." - Keren Hughes, Author of Nothing Like The First Time

"A heartbreaking read that sometimes had me close to tears." - Susan @ Ladies Living in Bookland

"Heartbreaking. Powerful. Real ... I literally lived the pages, not read them ... It's so well and beautifully written, it is more than just another YA novel." - Cristina @ Crazy Beautiful

Excerpt

“What are
you doing?” I manage to get out around my laughs. She tenses at my words and
then tilts her head back to fix me with a glare, her eyes blazing with
irritation.

“I’m
sleeping in the bath like I said I would. Why, what did you think I was doing?
Teaching myself to swim?”

“I
know what you’re doing. I think that’s obvious. What I meant was why are you doing this?” I step into the
room and move in front of her so she doesn’t have to crane her neck to see me.

“You
know why.”

“You’re
not sleeping in here, Stripes.”

“Watch
me.”

I
cross my arms. There’s no way I’m going back to bed and allowing her to sleep
in a bath. The only problem is that it’s hard to maintain a frustrated
expression when everything about the situation is so damn funny. “Be back in a
second.”

She
mumbles something that sounds like “I’m not going anywhere” to my back as I
rush out of the bathroom. Rummaging in my drawer, I find what I’m looking for
then I’m back in the room with Neve in seconds.

Before
she can react, I have a camera in front of me.

“Smile,”
I tease, only it causes her glower to darken. Three lines appear on her
forehead as her face screws up.

“Delete
that now.”

“Nope.
Get out of the bath and I might let you.”

“I’m
not getting out. I told you I’m sleeping here.”

“Why
all the drama? We’ve slept in the same bed for ages now. It’s not a big deal.”
She rolls over, showing me her back, and ignores me. “Stripes, get out of the
bath.”

“Night,
Blake.”

If
she thinks I’m going to give up that easy, she’s got another surprise coming.
She should know by now that I don’t give up and people don’t say no to me. I
put the camera on the counter by the sink, needing both of my hands.

Carefully,
so as not to reveal my intentions, I lean over the bath and line up my hands.
With one swift motion, I grip her tightly, heaving her out of the tub and
throwing her over my shoulder as she screams, “Put me down, Blake!”

“I
told you, you’re not sleeping in a bath. Now shut up and stop hitting my back.”
My light and jovial words only serve to make her flail around even more. I
manage to pin her legs, but I’m powerless to do anything to stop her hands pounding
against my back. It’s not enough to hurt, that’s not her intention, but the
squirming is becoming increasingly frustrating.

When
I reach the bed, I drag her back over my shoulder and dump her on the mattress.
She bounces, not able to hide the laughter on her face while she stares at me
and hiccups. This is how I like to see her, carefree and happy. It’s rare
nowadays that I catch a glimpse of Neve when she’s truly happy, but in this
moment there isn’t a strained muscle in her body. It’s natural, and I can’t
stop myself from watching her. I’m still amazed that I’m the one who can bring
out her joy and it baffles me that she’s allowed herself to be mine.

We
remain gazing at each other with ridiculous grins for a minute. When I’m sure
she isn’t going to run, I move around to my of the bed side. Her head follows
me, and when I go to climb in beside her, she rolls over. She throws her arms
and legs out wide, taking up the entire mattress.

“You’re in the bath then.” She points at
the door with the hand furthest away from me, a devilish twinkle in her eyes.
It takes me a while to respond. The sight of her body stretched out in her
skimpy pyjamas makes my throat dry, and I have to consciously remind myself to
swallow. My gaze focuses on her pale skin, which is exposed by her shirt riding
up and the top of her shorts lowering as a result of her actions.

“I
don’t think so.” My voice comes out more breathless than I expect as I watch
her spread out in front of me.

“Well,
you’re not sleeping in here with me.”

“My
bed, my rules.” I place one knee on the mattress and climb on. My arms support
most of my weight so my body is directly above hers. “So, I can either sleep on
the left … or on top of you.” My voice drops into a murmur and she gulps, her
lips parting as I hover over her. “Take your pick, Stripes.”

Teasers

About the Author

#1 Amazon bestselling author Mia Hoddell lives in the UK with her family and two cats. She spends most of her time writing or reading, loves anything romantic, and has an overactive imagination that keeps her up until the early hours of the morning.

Mia has written over ten titles including her Seasons of Change series, the Chequered Flag series, the Elemental Killers series, and her standalone novels False Finder and Not Enough.

Her favourite genres are contemporary romance or romantic suspense, and with an ever growing list of ideas she is trying to keep up with the speed at which her imagination generates them. She also designs book covers on her website M Designs.

* * Giveaway * *

This is my first Hoddell read and I have to say that I really enjoyed her writing style. Her characters, especially Blake really warmed my heart and felt life like to me. I never questioned their motives or actions and it was a lot of fun getting to know them and to like them.

And while this story was emotional and I did enjoy it, the believability factor, for me, was never there. I don't know if that is because like the main character, I too, tend to be more of an introvert and have never, never, encountered the type of problems and harassment that she did in this story, or whether, I don't know, something about it just didn't work for me, but because of it, I had a really hard time connecting with Neve sometimes.

I adored her emails to herself though and those were the parts of the story that really grabbed me. Because regardless of the realistic factor or not, this book was full of wonderful, uplifting messages that had me slightly teary eyed at times and kept me reading on. And Blake, he stole the show. He really was the most amazing friend to her (and his family as well!) in this story and I loved him immediately and he too, made it worth reading.

Overall, this wasn't a bad read at all and like I mentioned, it really was well written and the messages about being yourself and not letting anyone change who you are or validate you as a person, were really beautiful and well done and because of that and the fact that I had to know how it ended, I'm giving this four stars because truly, any author that can make you want to finish a story even if you aren't connecting to it, deserves to have her work praised.

*All thoughts and opinions are my own and were not influenced by the author or publisher. I was not compensated for this review.*

Thursday, November 19, 2015

Title: Visions Author: Kelley ArmstrongSeries: Book Two in the Cainsville SeriesPublished By: Dutton (August 19, 2014)Source: BorrowedGenre: Urban FantasyMy Rating: 5 Stars!Book Description:As #1 New York Times bestselling author Kelley Armstrong’s new Cainsville series continues, Olivia’s power to read omens leads to the discovery of a gruesome crime with troubling connections to her new hometown.Omens, the first installment in Kelley Armstrong’s exciting new series, introduced Olivia Taylor-Jones, daughter of notorious serial killers, and Gabriel Walsh, the self-serving, morally ambiguous lawyer who became her unlikely ally. Together, they chased down a devious killer and partially cleared her parents of their horrifying crimes.Their success, however, is short-lived. While Olivia takes refuge in the old, secluded town of Cainsville, Gabriel’s past mistakes have come to light, creating a rift between the pair just when she needs his help the most.Olivia finds a dead woman in her car, dressed to look like her, but the body vanishes before anyone else sees it. Olivia’s convinced it’s another omen, a sign of impending danger. But then she learns that a troubled young woman went missing just days ago—the same woman Olivia found dead in her car. Someone has gone to great lengths to kill and leave this young woman as a warning. But why? And what role has her new home played in this disturbing murder?Olivia’s effort to uncover the truth places her in the crosshairs of old and powerful forces, forces that have their own agenda, and closely guarded secrets they don’t want revealed.

It didn't take me long to pick this up after finishing Omens. I was completely hooked, intrigued, and on the edge of my seat not only with the mystery that is Cainsville, but with all the characters as well. This truly is a stand out series that ended up being so much more addictive than I had planned for.

And while so much was finally answered and revealed in this installment, so much more was questioned and brought to light as well and even though I am still on the edge of my seat and can't stop thinking about it all, I freaking love it!

I love books that worm their way into my thoughts and have me still thinking about them, days, weeks, later.

Not only did I love all the omens and the dangerous situations, but the romance was just amazing. And even though I see a very plausible love triangle on the horizon, I don't even care because the writing and the storyline is just that good and the two men, even more so.

I don't even know what else to say about this series without giving anything away other than if you are on the fence about starting it, don't be. Take the plunge and jump right in. It has so much to offer and truly is one that I think will stay with me long after I have finished it.

Wednesday, November 18, 2015

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. It is a chance to share those new releases were are super anxious to get our hands on and read.More than likely, this weeks pick you have seen around the blogsphere lately. It must be the amazing cover or the catchy synopsis or maybe never the author, either way, I know lots of us are eagerly awaiting this one.

Book Description:From Victoria Scott, author of FIRE & FLOOD, comes a thrilling story of impossible odds. Ever since the Titans first appeared in her Detroit neighborhood, Astrid Sullivan’s world has revolved around the mechanical horses. She and her best friend have spent countless hours watching them and their jockeys practice on the track. It’s not just the thrill of the race. It’s the engineering of the horses and the way they’re programmed to seem so lifelike. The Titans are everything that fascinates Astrid, and nothing she’ll ever touch.She hates them a little, too. Her dad lost everything betting on the Titans. And the races are a reminder of the gap between the rich jockeys who can afford the expensive machines to ride, and the working class friends and neighbors of Astrid’s who wager on them.But when Astrid’s offered a chance to enter an early model Titan in this year’s derby, well, she decides to risk it all. Because for a girl from the wrong side of the tracks, it’s more than a chance at fame or money. Betting on herself is the only way she can see to hang on to everyone in the world she cares about.

Tuesday, November 17, 2015

Title: OmensAuthor: Kelley ArmstrongSeries: Book One in the Cainsville SeriesPublished By: Dutton (August 20, 2013)Source: PurchasedGenre: Urban FantasyMy Rating: 5 Stars!Book Description:Twenty-four-year-old Olivia Taylor Jones has the perfect life. The only daughter of a wealthy, prominent Chicago family, she has an Ivy League education, pursues volunteerism and philanthropy, and is engaged to a handsome young tech firm CEO with political ambitions.But Olivia’s world is shattered when she learns that she’s adopted. Her real parents? Todd and Pamela Larsen, notorious serial killers serving a life sentence. When the news brings a maelstrom of unwanted publicity to her adopted family and fiancé, Olivia decides to find out the truth about the Larsens.Olivia ends up in the small town of Cainsville, Illinois, an old and cloistered community that takes a particular interest in both Olivia and her efforts to uncover her birth parents’ past.Aided by her mother’s former lawyer, Gabriel Walsh, Olivia focuses on the Larsens’ last crime, the one her birth mother swears will prove their innocence. But as she and Gabriel start investigating the case, Olivia finds herself drawing on abilities that have remained hidden since her childhood, gifts that make her both a valuable addition to Cainsville and deeply vulnerable to unknown enemies. Because there are darker secrets behind her new home and powers lurking in the shadows that have their own plans for her.

Omens was probably my most anticipated read this fall simply because being familiar with Armstrong's writing I just knew I would get something perfect for not only the season but for the paranormal lover inside of me.

Well written, mysterious, and with characters you can't help but love, I completely devoured this read. It left me wondering, full of questions, and eager to begin the next installment. In short, I was completely hooked.

Imaginative writing, a memorable setting, a mystery that will keep you on your toes, and a town filled with the unusual and unexplained that is bound to have you pondering the story long after you put it down, this truly was everything I have come to not only expect from Armstrong, but what I was hoping for as well.

I can't wait to jump right into book two and hope some of the mystery is further explored and answered.

Monday, November 16, 2015

Title: Hello?Author: Liza WiemerSeries: Stand AlonePublished By: Spencer Hill Contemporary (November 10, 2015)Source: ARC Copy Provided by the Publisher (in exchange for an honest review)Genre: YA ContemporaryMy Rating: 5 Stars!Book Description:One HELLO? can change a life. One HELLO? can save a life.Tricia: A girl struggling to find her way after her beloved grandma's death.Emerson: A guy who lives his life to fulfill promises, real and hypothetical.Angie: A girl with secrets she can only express through poetry.Brenda: An actress and screenplay writer afraid to confront her past.Brian: A potter who sets aside his life for Tricia, to the detriment of both.Linked and transformed by one phone call, Hello? weaves together these five Wisconsin teens' stories into a compelling narrative of friendship and family, loss and love, heartbreak and healing, serendipity, and ultimately hope.Told from all five viewpoints: narration (Tricia), narration (Emerson), free verse poetry (Angie), screenplay format (Brenda), narration and drawings (Brian).

After reading a ton of wonderful reviews for this I decided it was time I break my dry YA contemporary spell and take the plunge and give it a go.

I am so very thankful that I did. This is one of those rare cases where the hype really did pay off. This wasn't a trumped up book that let me down or disappointed in the least. In fact, I was enamored with it from the very first chapter.

And let me tell you, I was nervous going into it because of all the different point of views I knew I was going to be getting and not only the different voices, but the different ways in which those voices would be portrayed.

Can I say this was done so beautifully?

A truly wonderful heartfelt read about grief, growing up, ad facing troubles challenges and horrors that sadly, a lot of young adults will see and experience in their life time and all of it, truly was relayed and spoken in a way that made all the characters relatable and lovable.

I'm so very thankful that I took a chance and got to experience this wonderful story. It truly was worth the time, energy, and emotion.

*All thoughts and opinions are my own and were not influenced by the author or publisher. I was not compensated for this review.*

Friday, November 13, 2015

Title: The Trouble With DestinyAuthor: Lauren MorrillSeries: Stand AlonePublished By: Delacorte (December 8, 2015)Source: ARC Copy Provided by the Publisher (in exchange for an honest review)Genre: YA ContemporaryMy Rating: 4 Stars!Book Description:It’s not about the destination, it’s about the journey... With her trusty baton and six insanely organized clipboards, drum major Liza Sanders is about to take Destiny by storm—the boat, that is. When Liza discovered that her beloved band was losing funding, she found Destiny, a luxury cruise ship complete with pools, midnight chocolate buffets, and a $25,000 spring break talent show prize. Liza can’t imagine senior year without the band, and nothing will distract her from achieving victory. She’s therefore not interested when her old camp crush, Lenny, shows up on board, looking shockingly hipster-hot. And she’s especially not interested in Russ, the probably-as-dumb-as-he-is-cute prankster jock whose ex, Demi, happens be Liza’s ex–best friend and leader of the Athenas, a show choir that’s the band’s greatest competition.But it’s not going to be smooth sailing. After the Destiny breaks down, all of Liza’s best-laid plans start to go awry. Liza likes to think of herself as an expert at almost everything, but when it comes to love, she’s about to find herself lost at sea.

Lauren Morrill writes some of the most adorable and fun YA contemporary out there and when I started The Trouble With Destiny, it didn't take me long to remember why I love reading her books so much and why I crave this genre.

With a cast of fun and sometimes goofy characters, not to mention a cruise, a competition, old friends, an art geek, a football hero, and two funny and supportive best friends, this read was packed full of the good stuff.

Not only did it have a unique story line and setting, it was every bit as fun as it could be serious.

I highly enjoyed this read and it was perfect for a lazy afternoon where I just wanted a light, fun read that would leave me with a smile on my face.

*All thoughts and opinions are my own and were not influenced by the author or publisher. I was not compensated for this review.*

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About Me

I am a full time mom and avid reader. When I am not playing dress up or chasing down lost toys and wrestling with the never ending pile of laundry, I read. Actually, I read whenever I get the chance. I love many different genres and would have a hard time choosing just one favorite book. And yes I really am obsessed with books, in fact I might be a book hoarder. Thankfully I have a Kindle and no one is the wiser to my vastly growing collection of books.